E-Update Archive
May 29, 2007
Welcome to the National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) E-Update. The NVFC is a non-profit membership association representing the interests of America's volunteer fire, EMS and rescue personnel.
In this issue:
- NVFC Action Alert: Congress Questions Administration on Hometown Heroes Implementation
- Special Member Update: NVFC-Backed Volunteer Job Protection Bill Passes House of Representatives
- Special Member Update: Senators Introduce Bi-partisan Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act
- More States Pass Fire-Safe Cigarette Laws
- NVFC Offers Training Courses on Retention and Recruitment, Health and Safety
- Apply Now For Needed Equipment
- Free Webinar: Using IP Technology to Help Solve Radio Interoperability
- PHMSA Offers Hazardous Materials Training
- First Alert and BRK Brands Clear Up Misinformation on Product
- Calendar of Events
- Support Those Who Support the Voice of the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
NVFC Action Alert: Urge President Bush to Implement Hometown Heroes Act
Congressmen Bob Etheridge (D-NC) and Peter King (R-NY) and Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) are asking their colleagues to sign onto a letter to President Bush expressing concern with the manner in which the Department of Justice (DOJ) is implementing the Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefits Act. The NVFC urges you to contact your U.S. Representative and Senators and ask them to sign onto the Etheridge/King/Leahy/Specter letter. To read the full article, click here.
Special Member Update: NVFC-Backed Volunteer Job Protection Bill Passes House of Representatives
On May 9, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Personnel Job Protection Act as part of H.R. 1684, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act. This Act provides job protection for volunteer emergency services personnel responding to a Presidentially-declared disaster for up to 14 days per calendar year. Click here to read the full article.
Senators Introduce Bi-partisan Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act
NVFC, Other National Groups Send Letter of Support
On May 23, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) introduced S. 1466, the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act. The bill would prohibit the federal government from taxing benefits provided to volunteer fire and emergency medical services personnel by local and state units of government. Congressman John Larson (D-CT) introduced H.R. 943, an identical version of the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act, in the House of Representatives on February 8. The NVFC sent a letter of support, along with the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and the National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT). Click here to read the full article.
More States Pass Fire-Safe Cigarette Laws
Twelve states have now passed legislation requiring cigarette retailers in their states to sell "fire-safe" cigarettes, which self-extinguish when left alone. This means 35.6 percent of the population lives in a state with fire-safe cigarette legislation on the books. The legislatures in Iowa and Maryland have passed bills that are waiting to be signed by the governors of those states.
Cigarettes are the leading cause of home fire fatalities in the United States, killing between 700 and 900 people each year. There are close to 35,000 structure fires in this country every year ignited by smoking materials.
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has been working through the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes to get legislation passed state-by-state with the eventual goal of achieving a national fire-safe cigarette law. To join or learn more about the Coalition, visit www.firesafecigarettes.org.
NVFC Offers Training Courses on Retention and Recruitment, Health and Safety
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), offers two different training programs in 2007. The NVFC's training schedule includes courses on retention and recruitment as well as health and safety at state fire/EMS association conferences and individual department events across the country.
The Retention and Recruitment Seminar focuses on the results of the recent NVFC study on retention and recruitment. The program delves into the reasons why there has been a decline in volunteers in the fire and emergency services and provides recommendations on what departments can do to counter this trend. The course is led by a VFIS instructor.
The Health and Safety Workshop focuses on the NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program and the need for heart attack awareness and prevention among firefighters and emergency medical personnel. The program reviews proper diet, exercise programs, and tools to keep first responders on track. Information on available health and safety grants is also provided, as well as the results of the recent NVFC/USFA Emergent Health and Safety study. The course is instructed by a trainer from L&T Health and Fitness.
Below is a schedule of training opportunities in 2007. For additional information, please contact Megan Botten at mbotten@nvfc.org or 1-888-ASK-NVFC (275-6832).
2007 NVFC Training Schedule
Oregon (Stayton VFD)
June 2
Retention and Recruitment
Mississippi (Annual Conference)
June 8-9
Retention and Recruitment
Texas (Annual Conference)
June 11-12
Retention and Recruitment & Health and Wellness
Missouri
June 22-24
Retention and Recruitment & Health and Wellness
South Dakota (Rapid Valley VFC)
July 21
Retention and Recruitment
Nebraska (Annual Conference)
October 18-19
Retention and Recruitment
Alaska
November, Date TBA
Retention and Recruitment
Apply Now For Equipment Grants
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), in association with Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, is awarding thermal imaging cameras and other much-needed equipment to volunteer and career departments across the country. Applications for the first round of grants are being accepted online at www.firemansfund.com/intothefireRFP through May 31.
The grants are made possible through funds raised from "Into the Fire" activities. More than $100,000 is available in the first phase of this grant program. The allotment comes from initial DVD sales, T-shirt sales, screening events, and other fundraising related to the "Into the Fire" documentary. Additional application periods are expected in the future as the fund grows.
"Approximately 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year," said Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director of the NFFF. "The 'Into the Fire' grant program will help put critical equipment like thermal imaging cameras in the hands of firefighters across the country - directly improving safety and helping to reduce line-of-duty deaths."
"Into the Fire" is a highly-acclaimed fire service documentary presented by Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. Ongoing sales of "Into the Fire" will fund future rounds of grants. For more information about the grant program or to submit a proposal, visit www.firemansfund.com/intothefireRFP.
Free Webinar: Using IP Technology to Help Solve Radio Interoperability
COMCARE and the American Red Cross are hosting two informational webinars on using Internet Protocol (IP) technology to help solve radio interoperability. Both webinars will be held on Thursday, May 31.
With the pressure to make progress on radio interoperability and an impending, one-time special grant program of $1 billion, Radio over IP is getting a lot of attention. Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), a key author of this program, said on the Senate floor recently: "IP systems can be used as bridges between otherwise incompatible communications systems," and "it is possible to... bring about interoperability without a large expenditure for new equipment."
From Iraq to the far northwest corner of Washington State to Florida, emergency communications experts are deploying commercial Radio over IP systems to solve interoperability problems dynamically. It will not solve all emergency communications issues, but it is something that is important to understand.
From the convenience of your desk, devote a fast-paced hour to learn about Radio over IP technology, what it does, and what it doesn't do:
- Group communications interoperability - How difficult is it?
- Costs and the procurement hurdle - Who gets the interoperability?
- Setting interoperability goals - What can be achieved?
- Don't lose sight of other projects - Maximizing your return on investment
The webinar will be held at two different times:
Webinar 1
Date: Thursday, May 31
Time: 11 am - 12 pm EDT
Register for Webinar 1 online at https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/809365127
Webinar 2
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2007
Time: 3 - 4 pm EDT
Register for Webinar 2 online at https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/984312828
PHMSA Offers Hazardous Materials Training
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) provides a series of training and educational opportunities regarding the transportation of hazardous materials and complying with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). Sessions also focus on emergency planning and preparedness in the event a hazmat incident does occur.
DOT is responsible for ensuring the safety of the public from the inherent risks associated with transporting hazardous materials. The department currently lists about 3,000 shipping descriptions with various hazardous materials such as poisons, chemicals, pesticides, radioactive materials, explosives, oil, and gasoline. These materials, if accidentally released, can pose risks to pubic health and safety, property, and the environment.
PHMSA has a comprehensive safety program to promote the safe transportation of hazardous materials by air, highway, rail, and water. The program is aimed at preventing an accidental release and being properly prepared should a release occur. It relies on compliance with the HMR to prevent releases, and on emergency planning and training to mitigate the consequences of a release.
PHMSA established a Hazardous Materials Safety Assistance Team (HMSAT) to make industry aware of the regulatory requirements, to help businesses find the resources needed to comply with the HMR, and to provide technical assistance to the enforcement, emergency response, and planning community. Regulatory compliance and emergency preparedness begin with awareness and training.
PHMSA provides several presentations which are between 60 and 90 minutes in length but may be tailored to meet your needs.
* Hazardous Materials Transportation (Overview of PHMSA)
* How to Use the Hazardous Materials Regulations
* Package Selection Marking and Labeling Requirements
* Hazardous Materials Transportation Placarding Requirements
* Hazardous Materials Transportation Security Requirements
* Shipping Papers and Emergency Response Information
* How to Use the 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook
* What a Responder Needs to Know About the HMR
HMSAT members are located in each of PHMSA's regional hazmat offices. They are available to offer assistance and advice on any matters related to hazardous materials transportation. Additional information is available at http://hazmat.dot.gov.
First Alert and BRK Brands Clear Up Misinformation on Product
To clear up misinformation reported in the news media and in subsequent emails that have included the fire service, First Alert and BRK have released a letter regarding BRK Brands 4120B and 4120SB smoke alarms that were manufactured prior to October 2000. Click here to view the letter.
Calendar of Events
National EMS Week
May 20-26
International Fire and EMS Safety Stand Down
June 17-23
NFPA World Safety Conference
June 3-7
Boston, MA
Fire, Burn & Life Safety Conference
IAFC Missouri Valley Section
June 19-22
Hutchinson, KS
Firehouse Expo
July 26-28
Baltimore, MD
Fire-Rescue International
August 23-25
Atlanta, GA
NVFC Fall Meeting
October 24-27
Providence, RI
Support Those Who Support the Voice of the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services The NVFC relies on the assistance of its corporate and association partners to be able to provide a voice for the volunteer fire and emergency services in Washington. We encourage you to look at a list of our Sustaining Members and support them with your business.
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